Miami Dolphins - TeamReport

January 06, 2014|Reuters

NFL Team Report - Miami Dolphins - INSIDE SLANT

Based on comments made in Monday's Miami Dolphins season wrap-up press conference, team owner Steve Ross is not happy after an 8-8 finish fell short of the playoffs and is definitely considering changes.

Sunday's 20-17 loss to the New York Jets left the franchise stuck in the non-playoff mud for the fifth consecutive year. There were immediate indications that ownership might be ready to map a new course

It was a bitter finish to a season that was two years in the making with hiring head coach Joe Philbin, drafting quarterback Ryan Tannehill and signing wide receiver Mike Wallace in free agency.

So Ross was asked the obvious questions about the security of Philbin, general manager Jeff Ireland or others.

"I'm making no comments on anything like that," Ross said. "We're going to look at everything."

Against that terse backdrop, it was hardly a news flash when reports surfaced Wednesday citing unnamed sources who suggest Ross is considering a shakeup that could involve Philbin, Ireland and offensive coordinator Mike Sherman.

In fact, it was predictable.

If the Dolphins would have beaten the Jets, they would have entered the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Even more, if the Dolphins had won either of their final two games, Sunday against the Jets or two weeks ago at Buffalo, they'd have made the playoffs.

"Certainly, there are areas we need to improve starting with me," Philbin said. "(Ending) 8-8 is not where this franchise wants to be, needs to be and should be."

Philbin was asked his feelings about his team finishing 27th in offense and 21st in defense.

"My feeling is Week 17 we had a game that had we won, which we didn't win, we would have been in the playoffs," he said. "That's where I'm getting the barometer that we are not that far away. We are close. I acknowledge the fact that on paper there is a lot of room for improvement."

Philbin is 15-17 in his two seasons as head coach but many think his job is safe. Ireland, offensive coordinator Mike Sherman and offensive line coach Jim Turner could be on the hot seat.

Philbin voiced support for Sherman, his longtime friend and mentor, which is standard procedure in these situations and should be taken with a grain of salt.

"I have a lot of confidence in our staff, our offensive staff with Mike Sherman," he said. "He's an excellent football coach, and that's what I think."

But putting that in perspective, the Dolphins' offense produced only seven points in the final two games. The problems that plagued Miami all year long -- a porous OL, an unreliable running game, an inability to connect on deep passes -- conspired to limit the Dolphins to one red-zone scoring opportunity and no field goal attempts in the final two games.

And the concern goes well beyond the front office and coaching staff. Players are unhappy and either want or expect change.

"We've got to score more points, for sure," WR Mike Wallace said. "That's the first and foremost thing we've got to do is score more points. To end the season you can't score seven points, not when you have a playoff berth on the line. "You definitely can't do that."

As for when personnel decisions would be made, Philbin said there's no timetable.

"We'll evaluate everybody," he said. "We evaluate all of the coaches. I'm in constant communication with Steve (Ross). I visited with him after the game. There will be an appropriate time and place to meet with him. Then we'll go from there."

So, until Ross or Philbin are more forthcoming, the situation remains ripe for speculation, with or without unnamed sources.

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NFL Team Report - Miami Dolphins - NOTES, QUOTES

--The Dolphins' defense was fairly reliable all season. But they, too, had issues in the final two games. Buffalo rushed for 203 yards and the Jets rushed for 154 yards. Miami only produced one takeaway in the final two games.

"We didn't so enough to win and that's all it really comes down to," he said. "Whatever the situation in the game was we didn't do enough to win the game. The Bills had a lot of yards running, the Jets had a good amount of yards running so we didn't what we wanted to do, which was stop the run.

"They didn't get 40 points a game or anything, but we didn't do enough to win and that's all that really matters."

--The rookie class made a minimal contribution in 2013. Defensive end Dion Jordan, the third overall pick in April, ended with 26 tackles and 2.0 sacks.

Cornerback Jamar Taylor, a second-round pick, and cornerback Will Davis, one of Miami's third-round picks, hardly contributed. The same is true of guard Dallas Thomas, another third-round pick.

Linebacker Jelani Jenkins, a fourth-round pick, made some late-season contributions from scrimmage.

Kicker Caleb Sturgis, drafted in the fifth round, ended the season 24 for 36 on field goal.